Ryu, his initial apprehension towards Hana replaced by a begrudging respect for her dedication, watched her work with a hint of amusement. Her job was to draft appropriate safety procedures, which would be noted and adhered to by all on a chart that would be placed near the new lab's entrance.
"Are you done with that safety chart, Hana-san?" Ryu's voice rumbled from behind her, a touch softer than its usual gruff edge.
"Almost there, Ryu-sensei!" she exclaimed, a wide smile breaking across her face. "I'm just finalising the section on proper disposal of biohazards."
Ryu chuckled, a rare sound in the usually serious lab. "Excellent," he replied, nodding in approval. "It's crucial to maintain proper safety protocols. "
Hana nodded with understanding. "I never realised how much responsibility comes with working in a lab like this. If we deal with hazardous materials improperly, even one small error could jeopardise our entire research project and even endanger lives." she said.
Ryu's expression softened slightly. "That's why we have these protocols in place. They protect not just us, but the integrity of our work as well."
Hana's expression flashed with excitement, "Speaking of our work, what's next on our agenda, Ryu-sensei? In vitro testing, right? Sounds complicated."
Ryu chuckled again. "It can be, but it's a crucial step. Think of it like a first screening round for our synthetic antibiotic. We'll be testing its effectiveness against various bacteria in a controlled lab environment."
He gestured towards the colourful chart. "Now, tell me about in-vitro testing. I want to make sure you understand the process."
Hana straightened, a touch of pride warming her chest. "In-vitro simply means 'in glass,' Ryu-sensei," she explained with enthusiasm. "We'll be testing the synthetic antibiotic's effectiveness against various bacteria in a controlled lab environment. Like a tiny gladiator arena, but for microbes!"
"A gladiator arena, huh?" Ryu chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "That's certainly one way to put it. Science can be a brutal spectator sport sometimes."
He leaned against the lab bench, his expression turning more serious. "But remember, Hana-san, these tests are just the beginning. They give us valuable data, but they can't predict exactly how a drug will behave in a living organism."
Ryu then asked, "And what comes after in-vitro testing? Can you tell me about the next stage?"
"In-vivo?" Hana echoed, her eyebrows shooting up. "That's the testing on living organisms, right?"
Ryu nodded approvingly. "That's where things get a bit more complex. We'll need Dr. Yuki's expertise to design and conduct proper in-vivo tests, likely using lab mice infected with specific bacterial strains."
Hana's eyes widened in fascination. "Testing on live mice? Wow, that's a big responsibility!"
"Indeed it is," Ryu agreed, his voice taking on a solemn tone. "It's not a decision we make lightly. Every step of our research has ethical implications that we must carefully consider."
Hana nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I never realised how much goes into developing a new antibiotic. It's not just about the science, is it? There's so much more to consider."
Ryu smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "You're learning quickly, Hana-san. That's exactly right. We must always be mindful of the broader implications of our work. Which is why Dr. Yuki will handle that stage. For now, we have our hands full with the isolation and in-vitro testing."
He turned back to the lab bench, reaching for a set of pipettes. "Now, let's get back to work. We still have a long way to go before—"
Suddenly, a sharp gasp escaped Ryu's lips. His face contorted in pain, and his hand clutched his chest. Hana, witnessing this dramatic shift, froze in alarm.
The sterile lights of the lab seemed to dim with Ryu's collapse. His gasp ripped through the air, sharp and unexpected. Panic seized Hana. "Ryu-sensei!" she cried, rushing to his side. His breathing grew laboured, his grip on the workbench tightening with each strained gasp as he collapsed.
"Ryu-sensei! What's wrong?" Hana's voice trembled, her hands hovering uncertainly over Ryu's hunched form. The sudden shift from their light-hearted conversation to this moment of crisis left her reeling.
Hana cried out for their colleague, "Mr. Isao, Ryu-sense just fainted," her voice quivering as panic gnawed at her throat. Hana had no idea what was going on, but it was obvious that Ryu's condition was getting worse.
The lab, once a place of focused calm, erupted into chaos. She looked around wildly, searching for something, anything that might help.
Moments later, Isao burst through the lab door, alerted by Hana's frantic yell. He took in the scene with a practiced eye, his calm demeanour in stark contrast to Hana's rising panic.
"Stay calm, Hana," Isao instructed, his voice steady as he knelt beside Ryu. "Take deep breaths. Panic won't help him now."
Mr. Isao said while placing his hand on Ryu's forehead, "His temperature is rising and his breath is getting shallow. Get a wheelchair, Ms. Hana! We have to get him to the emergency room as soon as possible."
Hana scrambled to obey, the playful banter of moments ago replaced by a chilling silence. As they rushed Ryu through the hospital, Dr. Yuki materialised at the doorway, her usually calm face etched with worry.
"Isao," she said, her voice clipped. "Has Mr. Sato been called?"
Isao nodded grimly. "Already on it. I've already sent someone to fetch him. He will be here soon."
Dr. Yuki's gaze swept over Ryu's pale form, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We need to move quickly. Every minute counts now."
Dr. Yuki turned to Hana, her eyes filled with a desperate intensity. "It's his illness, Hana. It's progressed much faster than we anticipated."
Hana's heart hammered against her ribs. "Is he…?"
Dr. Yuki squeezed Hana's shoulder, her touch grounding. "There's a chance," she said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hand. "A very small chance, but a chance nonetheless. And it rests entirely on our work."
Hana felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. The enormity of their task suddenly became crystal clear. Their research wasn't just an academic pursuit anymore; it was a lifeline.
Hana's mind raced. Then it hit her—the synthetic antibiotic. Their late-night experiments, Ryu's tireless dedication. It wasn't just research anymore; it was a desperate gamble, a last-ditch effort.
With a surprisingly steady voice, Hana said, "The new antibiotic was for Ryu-sensei."
"Yes, it is," Dr. Yuki said with a nod. Dr. Yuki continued, "The new antibiotic is our only hope. We need to complete the isolation process and synthesise enough for a single dose. Every second counts now, Hana."
Hana felt a surge of determination course through her. The excitement of their research, once a distant memory, returned with a fierce urgency. This wasn't just about completing a task; it was about saving a life.
"I understand," Hana said, her voice surprisingly steady. "I will do everything in my power to help, Dr. Yuki. We can't let Ryu-sensei down. To save him, we must find a way to finish his work."
Dr. Yuki's eyes softened for a moment, a flicker of pride shining through her worry. "That's the spirit, Hana. Now, let's get to work. Every moment is precious."
Dr. Yuki asked Isao and Hana to continue the work. She would join them after talking to Ryu's grandfather. As they hurried back to the lab, the sterile white walls no longer felt cold and impersonal. They were in a battlefield, and Hana was ready to fight and determined to win.
Every step, every action, was fuelled by a desperate hope. The image of Ryu, pale and unconscious, spurred her on. This wasn't just science anymore; it was a desperate gamble, a race against time. She approached the workbench with determination, her mind racing through the steps they needed to take.
"Were you aware, Isao-san?" Hana questioned.
Isao sighed and said, "Yes, I was aware. I could not tell you because Dr. Yuki requested that I keep this information to myself."
"I understand, Isao-san," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "Where did Ryu-sensei leave off with the isolation process? We need to pick up exactly where he stopped."
Isao nodded, moving swiftly to Ryu's station. "He was in the middle of the final purification step for the culture solution. We need to complete that fast and then move on to synthesis."
Hana took a deep breath, centring herself. "Alright. Let's do this. For Ryu-sensei."
With every second that went by while they were working, the wall clock seemed to crack louder. However, Hana, despite her nervous personality, did not allow fear to overcome her. Instead, she channelled her nervousness into focus, moving deliberately and precisely. Formerly merely a place of employment, the lab had evolved into a ray of hope. And Hana was going to do everything in her power to maintain that hope.
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